Crafting her own universe in the Disney+ series “WandaVision” was an endeavor that only Elizabeth Olsen could masterfully undertake. While she portrays the Scarlet Witch, a character with the ability to alter the molecular makeup of things, the real Olsen is distinctly different from her on-screen persona.
Introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) post the narrative of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” Olsen enriched the MCU with her depth and was undoubtedly a match for her illustrious comic version.
In Olsen’s words, collaborating with fellow actresses eased her immersion into the sprawling Marvel world. Among all, her bond with the iconic Black Widow, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, stands out as particularly profound.
During media interactions for “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” last year, Olsen openly expressed her sentiments about Johansson, especially after Scarlett’s unexpected comments about Olsen’s performances.
Having been a part of the MCU for more than ten years, Johansson possesses vast experience and a certain assuredness. While Johansson’s Black Widow is depicted as an independent force against adversaries, Olsen’s addition to the MCU provided a much-needed balance.
During a chat with Sirius XM, Johansson elucidated, “With Lizzie on board, things felt more harmonized. It was a male-dominated setup for quite some time.” On Olsen’s portrayal, Johansson said, “Her role exudes an enticing charm and fervor. Witnessing it left me awe-struck. I felt dwarfed.”
Yet, Johansson’s Black Widow showcased immense bravery by making the ultimate sacrifice in “Avengers: Endgame,” setting the stage for Olsen in subsequent movies.
Elizabeth Olsen and Scarlett Johansson: Mutual Muses Olsen’s portrayal of the Scarlet Witch and the multiversal chaos in the Doctor Strange sequel allowed her to tap into deeper realms of her acting prowess. The inclusion of the gifted Xochitl Gomez, a mere 16-year-old in the movie, illuminated for Olsen the progress women have achieved. And for this realization, she credits Scarlett Johansson.
In a discussion with Variety, Olsen elaborated on the impact Johansson had on her, stating, “During ‘Ultron’, I was captivated by Scarlett’s ease, her inclusivity, and the camaraderie she fostered with the entire crew. That lesson has since been integral to my ethos.”
Considering the ever-expanding multiverse, the Marvel universe has flung open a treasure trove of potential storylines. However, Olsen, aged 34, has, for the time being, dismissed speculations of revisiting her role anytime soon.
